Crimper with full stroke compelling ratchet mechanism



April 1960 H. H. TOWNSHEND, JR 2,931,260

CRIMPER WITH FULL STROKE COMFELLING RATCHET MECHANISM Filed March 2, 1959 I M In INVENTOR Henry H. Bumshend, Jr.

ATTORNEYS Unitd States Patent CRIMPER WITH FULL STROKE COMPELLING RATCHE'F. MECHANISM Henry H. Townshend, In, New Haven, Conn., assignor to J. '1. Henry Manufacturing Company, Inc., Hatnden, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application P/Iarch 2, 1959, Serial No. 796,531

Claims. (Ci. 8115) This invention relates to crimpers and relates more particularly to crimpers of the type having means to insure full crimping movement of the crimping dies which are often carried by opposed jaw members arranged in pivotal relation to one another. Crimpers of this type are commonly employed to effect a solderless electrical connection between two conductors, one of which is a wire and the other a ferrule. It will be understood that to eifect a satisfactory electrical connection of this type it is necessary to insure that the crimping dies move toward one another to effect a predetermined minimum crimping pressure on the conductors which are constructed to close tolerances. In other words, the crimping dies must be moved toward each other to relative positions which may be termed for lack of a better expression fully closed positions.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a-crimper actuated by a plunger or piston rod, as opposed to the common manually operated type employing scissorlike handle elements, provided with means for insuring full crimping movement of the crimping dies.

Accordingly, one object of the invention is to provide an improved crimper of the plunger or piston rod operated type having means to insure the movement of the crimping dies necessary to efiect a satisfactory crimp.

Another object is to provide a crimper such as characterized above, including a ratchet device having a ratchet element which tends to be maintained in fixed relation to one of the crimping dies.

Still another object of the invention is to provide in such a ratchet device for a crimper a pawl for cooperation with the aforementioned ratchet element and which pawl is movable bodily in a rectilinear course only.

A further object is to provide a mounting for the ratchet element which permits adjustment of the latter in accordance with the desired extent of movement of the crimping die, and which also permits adjustment of the ratchet member to compensate for wear.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view, partly broken away, illustrating a crimper embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view further illustrating certain parts of the crimper, looking in the direction of the arrows 4-4 inv Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view generally similar to Fig. 1, illustrating the pawl of the ratchet device in a difierent position from that shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but illustrating'the pawl in still another position.

In the drawing, the jaws of the crimper are indicated generally at 10 and 11. The jaws are provided with a pair of crimping dies 12 arranged in opposing relation to one another and adapted to seat on one another when the jaws are closed. The crimping dies may be removably mounted on the respective jaws in any conventional manner, and the arrangement may be such that 2 dies of different sizes may be mounted on the jaws. The crimper includes a pair of jaw-operating toggle levers 13. In the illustrated form the jaws are mounted on gen erally triangular shaped plates 14 at opposite sides of thecrimper. A pair of bolts 15 extend through the plates 14 and the respective jaws to. pivot the jaws for.

portion 20 for added strength, and each thickened end portion is slotted, as at 21. The slotted end portion of each shank receives one end of one of the jaw-operating links 13, which end is pivoted thereto by a bolt extending through the shank and the link 13. The jawoperating links 13, which extend through diametricallyv opposite slots 23 in the tubular member 17, have their.

other ends pivotally interconnected, as by a pin 24. The pin 24 connects the links 13 to the outer end portion of an actuating rod, indicated generally at 25, slidable within the tubular support member 17, The actuating rod 25 may be a plunger or a piston rod having move-- ment imparted thereto by a fluid-operated piston, not

shown. The actuating rod may have an inner part 27 having a threaded socket 28 receiving the threaded por tion of an outer part 29 provided with bifurcations 39 extending to the extreme outer end of the actuating rod. The links 13 extend between the bifurcations, and the pivot 24 for the links 13 is mounted in the bifurcations a distance inwardly from their outer or distal ends, as shown in Fig. 2.

From the foregoing, it will be manifest that when the actuating rod 25 is moved toward the outer end of the tubular support member 17 from the position shown in Fig. 1, the shanks of the jaws are separated through the action of the links 13 to move the dies 12, carried by the jaws, toward one another. The fully closed position of the dies is shown in Fig. 3. Movement of the dies toward one another is not limited by engagement of the jaws with one another but by the seating of one die on the other, as indicated above. It will be understood that the dies are opened by reverse movement of the actuating rod in the support member 17, this movement of the rod serving to draw the shank portions of the jaws toward one another through the links 13.

The ratchet device of the crimper includes a pawl 31 pivoted between the outer or distal ends of the bifurcations of the rod 25, the pawl being pivoted on a pin 32 from the pivot pin 24 interconnecting the links 13. A

thrust member 33, generally similar in outline to the pawl 31, is also supported on the pin 32 and faces in a direction which is generally opposite that in which the pawl faces, as shown in Fig. 1. To prevent the thrust member from moving angularly on the pin 32, another pin 34 extends through the member 33 a distancefrom the pin 32, the pin 34 being fixedly supported in the bifurcations 30, as shown in Fig. 4. As shown in the last-mentioned view, the portions of the pawl 31 and thrust member 33 through which the pin 32 extends are of reduced thick-' ness and overlapped with one another. A spring 35 is provided to urge the pawl 31 toward the central position thereof shown in Fig. 1.

portion 36 snugly received in a small hole in the pawl.

i atented Apr. 5, 1960,

In this position the pawl.ex-. tends in a plane normal to the plane of the actuating rod 25. As shown in Fig. 4, the spring 35 has a terminal,

The other terminal of the spring is suitably connected to a pin 37 extending between the bifurcations 31) "inteimediatethe pin 24 and the ipin 32, as shown in Fig. 3.

The .spring has a spiral portion normally embracing the pin '37 somewhat loosely.

The pawl.31 of the ratchet device cooperates with a toothed ratchet element 38 extending along a portion of the edge of the jaw which opposes the jaw '11. The corresponding edge portion 3% of the jaw .11 is somewhat similar in outline to the ratchet element, as shown in Fig. 3. However, the edge portion 39 is smooth instead of toothed and cooperates with the thrust member 33 which is adapted to slide over the smoothsurface. As

shown in the last-mentioned view, the general outline of the edge portion 39, like the general outline of the ratchet element 38;, is somewhat rounded, and, as further shown in this view, the element 33 and the .edge portion 39 are disposedintermediatethe corresponding crimping dies and the corresponding shank ends of the jaws.

In the illustrated form, the ratchet element '38 is not formed as an integral part of the jaw 10, but is constructed as a part which is mounted on and adjustable with respect to the jaw 10. The ratchet element 38, which is of elongate form, extends generally longitudinally of the jaw 19, and is received in .a recess 38 pro vided in an edge portion of thejaw, the element having a heel portion pivoted in the recess, as at 40. The heel portion of the ratchet element 38 provides an abutment for engagement with'the bottom of the recess 3-9 to limit tilting movement of the toe of the element 38, and in actual practice the ratchet element, which adjustably mounted on the pivot 40, may have only a very limited range of movement. To tip or swing the toe of the ratchet element outwardly, that is, away from the jaw 1%,311 adjusting screw 41 2's provided in the jaw 10 for engagement with the toe of the element 38. To lock the screw 41in adjusted position, a set screw 42 is provided in the jaw 10. When the'pawl 31 is engaged with the ratchet element 33 during operation of the crimper,- the pawl tends to maintain the ratchet element ,in en gagement with the adjusting screw 41. As indicated above, the engagement of the heel portion of the ele ment. 38 with the bottom of the recess '38 limits any dislocation-of the element 38 with respect to the jaw '10 when the pawl '31 is not engaged with the ratchet element. To permit the pawl 31 to clear the jaw 10 at the toe and heel .ends of the ratchet element '38 the jaw is provided with clearances 43' and 44, respectively, in

edge portions thereof. The jaw '11 may have its corresponding edge portions shaped in a similar manner.

The operation of the "crimper will be manifest from the foregoing description of its construction. When it is desired to crimp together two articles, such as electrical conductors, the articles are placed between the jaws of' the crimper while the jaws are in their open positions shown in Fig. '1. When the jaws are in these. positions the actuating rod '25 is in a retracted position in the tubular support 17 and the pawl 31 of the ratchet device is located in the clearance 44 of the jaw 1%. As shown in the last-mentioned view. portions of the jaws may extend through the respective slots 23 in the tubular member 17 when the jaws are fully opened and, as also shown in this view, the ratchet element 38 may closely approach the edge portion 39 of the jaw 11 when the jaws are .fully'opened. To close the jaws on articles to be crimped,

the actuating rod 25 is extended or moved outwardly in the tubular support member '17 from its retracted position shown in Fig. l, the rod being moved by fluid or other suitable means. As the rod 25 is extended the links 13, interconnecting the respective jaws with the rod, force the shank portions of the jaws apart.

As'thi's occurs the distal end portion of the operating rod is extendedinto the widening gap between the ratchet element 38 the edge portion 3-9 of the jaw 11. At

this time the pawl 31 engages the toothed portion of the element 38 and is deflected inwardly thereby, that is,

ina direction "generally opposite 'thedirection' of move ment of the actuating rod. This deflection of the pawl is shown in Fig. 5. When and as the pawl is engaged in this manner, the thrust member 33 engages and 'bears against the edge portion39 .of the jaw 11. The thrust member tends to equalize any bending strain imparted to the actuating rod through engagement of the pawl with the ratchet element 3-8. The ratchet device is so constructed and arranged that the pawl does not leave the ratchet element 38 but continues to be deflected thereby until' the crimping dies are fully seated on one another by full closing movement of the jaws. When the jaws of the crimper are only partially closed, as shown in Fig. 5, the actuating rod may not be retracted due to the angularity of the pawl and its engagement with the ratchet element. This prevents the dies from opening after only partial crimping movement of the dies .andim sures a satisfactory crimp by making it necessary to extend the rod fully to effect full seating of the crimping dies before the actuating rodmay be retracted. The fully extended position of the rod is shown in Fig. 3 and, as shown in this view, the pawl is beyond the ratchet element 33 and disposed in the-clearance '43. It will be understood thatwhen the pawl enters the clearance 43 the pawl is centered through the action of the spring 35. The actuating rod may then be retracted to efiect opening of the jaws for removal of the crimped articles and as the rod is retracted in tubular support 17 the 'pawl 31 is once again engaged with the ratchet element 38 and the thrust member 33- engaged with the edge portion 39 of the jaw 11.. Here again, the pawl is deflected by the ratchet element in a direction which is generally opposite the direction of movement of the actuating rod, as shown in 'Fig. 6. When the jaws are fully open 'the pawl is disengaged from 'the ratchet and disposed in the clearance 44 of the jaw 10. It 'will be further understood that, when necessary, the ratchet element may 'be angularly adjusted in accordance with the size of the crimping dies used in the crimper. Adjustment of the ratchet element may also be desired to compensate for wear. To effect adjustment of the ratchet element it ing the adjusting screw 41.

From the foregoing disclosure, it will be manifest that there is provided an improved crimper-of the type operated by a plunger or piston which has only a rectilinear movement. The improved crimper has a ratchet device for insuring full crimping movement ofthe crimping dies, which ratchet device includes a ratchet'element which, in operation, tends'to'be maintained in fixed relation to one of the crimping jaws and the die carried thereby, the ratchet element being adjustable. It will also be understoodthat the ratchet device of thecr'imper includes a pawl for cooperation with the ratchetnelement and which pawl is movable bodily in a rectilinear course only. The crimper of the invention is particularly well suited to crimping together articles, such as electrical conductors, and the crimper is very satisfactory and reliable in operation. Furthermore, it is constructed of few and simple parts and will not readily get'out of order.

While only one form of the crimper has been illustrated in the drawing and described abovejt will be apparent to those versed in the art that the crimper is susceptible of various modifications and changes in details without departing from the principles of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a crimper, a pair of pivota'lly interconnected jaws carrying opposed crimping dies swingable with the jaws toward and away from one another, an actuating rod "for the crimper jaws, said rod having arectilinear movement only, jaw-operating means pivotally interconnecting the jaws and the rod for effecting closing movementof the jaws on axial movement of the rod in one direction, and

means to prevent opening of the jaws until after the jaws have reached the fully closed crimping position, the lastnamed means comprising a ratchet device including a ratchet element carried by the rod and a ratchet element cooperating with the first-mentioned ratchet element and carried by one of the jaws.

2. A crimper as defined in claim 1, wherein one of the ratchet elements is a pivotally mounted pawl and the other ratchet element is a toothed part which during a crimping operation tends to be maintained in fixed relation to the part which carries it.

3. In a crimper, a pair of pivotally interconnected jaws carrying opposed crimping dies swingable with the jaws toward and away from one another, an actuating rod for the crimper jaws, said rod having a rectilinear movement only, jaw-operating means pivotally interconnecting the jaws and the rod for effecting closing movement of the jaws on axial movement of the rod in one direction, and means to prevent opening of the jaws until after the jaws have reached the fully closed crimping position, the last- .i

named means comprising a ratchet device including a pivotally mounted pawl carried by the rod and a toothed partlcarried by one of the jaws for cooperation with the paw 4. In a crimper, a pair of jaws carrying opposed crimping dies, an elongated tubular support member, means pivoting the jaws on one end of said member for swinging movement toward and away from one another, an actuating rod slidablc in said member in one direction for swinging the jaws toward each other and slidable in the other direction for swinging the jaws apart, jaw-opaerating links pivotally interconnecting the jaws and the actuating rod, the links being pivoted in the end portion of the rod nearest said end of said member and extending through the wall structure of the tubular member, a pawl pivoted in said end portion of the rod and extending through said wall structure, and a toothed ratchet element for cooperation with said pawl to prevent opening of the jaws until after the jaws have reached fully closed crimping positions, said ratchet element being carried by one of the jaws and tending to be maintained infixed relation thereto during a crimping operation.

5. A crimper as defined in claim 3, where the jaw which carries the toothed part is provided with means mounting the toothed part for angular adjustment of said part relatively to the last-mentioned jaw and the pawl to vary the throw of the jaws.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,992,596 Bangel Feb. 26, 1935 2,696,747 Bergan Dec. 14, 1954 2,855,813 Hcpler Oct. 14, 1958 2,868,048 Pachter Jan. 13, 1959 g FOREIGN PATENTS 729,389 Germany Dec. 15, 1942 585,761 Great Britain Feb. 24, 1947 

